Fishing's 'pin-up boy' shot at seals

By Julia Medew

December 16, 2006 — 11.00am

TWO fishermen accused of shooting at a colony of fur seals off the coast of Wilsons Promontory were seen drinking beer and laughing and cheering as they killed the protected species, a court has heard.

Prosecutor Marie Fidone told Korumburra Magistrates Court yesterday that researchers working with the seals on Kanowna Island, 3.5 kilometres off the coast, watched with horror as the pair shot the seals for more than an hour on August 30.

Boat captain Paul Goodwin, 30, and his 19-year-old deckhand Damien Hyslop, both of Newhaven, appeared in court yesterday, each facing 22 charges, including conduct endangering life, aggravated cruelty and hunting and destroying wildlife.

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Senior Constable Fidone said the Deakin University researchers, who feared for their lives at the time, estimated that the men fired about 100 shots at the seals, both on the island and in the water. They could not say exactly how many seals had died.

She said the colony of Australian and New Zealand fur seals was so disturbed by the event that most had never returned to the island.

The incident had compromised the research and many tracking devices, valued at $50,211, were lost, she said.

Goodwin's lawyer, Chris Carr, told the court that while his client admitted sailing his 15-metre fishing vessel into the marine park and shooting at the seals, he believed that only two had been injured.

He said Goodwin, a father of one who could be described as a pin-up boy for the fishing industry because of his contribution to it, was horrified when he learnt that people were on the island.

Goodwin was remorseful for what he had done. "His life has been completely destroyed by this incident. It has affected him profoundly," Mr Carr said.

Goodwin, who pleaded guilty to nine charges yesterday, including reckless conduct endangering persons and destroying notable wildlife, was convicted and sentenced to six months' jail, to be served as an intensive corrections order in the community.

The order includes unpaid community work, counselling and treatment for any issues associated with his offending.

The remaining charges against him were withdrawn.

Magistrate Steven Raleigh, who condemned the shootings, also fined him $5000.

"I've already described this behaviour as abhorrent and I believe all like-minded people would feel the same," he said.

Mr Raleigh adjourned the charges against Hyslop for a contested hearing in March next year. The 19-year-old's lawyer, David Luscombe, told the court that his client wished to fight some charges and admit others.